April 2017 - Soccer Wiretap

PSG Could Drop Kylian Mbappe From Starting XI

Oct 30, 2017 5:57 PM

Paris Saint-Germain could make Kylian Mbappe a substitute for this week's Champions League match due to his recent poor form.

"Like the others, Kylian might start but he also might not," Unai Emery responded at his prematch news conference. "The most important thing is that the players are respected and told first [if they are not going to start]. The players will only discover this tomorrow.

"Kylian's recent form? I have analysed his 10 matches with us so far and generally speaking, his performances were of a high quality. However, it is also true that some of his showings were less good than others.

"Kylian has come here to develop and to help PSG to grow. Competition within the squad is good. I want displays to be collective in their nature. I am satisfied with the way things have gone with him, so far."

Mbappe moved from Monaco to PSG this August.

"Kylian is fine, both mentally and physically," said Emery. "I have spoken with him and it is a new experience for him -- he reads all of the comments in the media.

"It is important to overcome these tough moments. You learn each and every day. Even more so when you are still just 18.

"It is normal that he is going through a learning process. With his humility, he will grow much, much more. PSG will be champions in the future and he will be [a champion] too."

Jonathan Johnson/ESPN

Tags: Paris Saint-Germain

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Pep Guardiola Expected To Extend City Contract Beyond 18-19

Oct 30, 2017 12:06 PM

Pep Guardiola is nearly halfway through his initial three-year deal with Manchester City that expires after the 18-19 season.

While Guardiola hasn't begun extension talks, it is expected he will remain beyond his current term.

Guardiola is expected to discuss adding a fourth season on his contract at the end of the current season.

Sources say Guardiola feels he does not have enough time remaining on his existing contract to accomplish everything he wants at City. Guardiola not only wants to win championships, but also lay the foundation for the future of the club.

Guillem Balague/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Manchester City, Misc Rumor

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Real Madrid, Atleti Interested In Gonçalo Guedes

Oct 30, 2017 10:24 AM

Gonçalo Guedes is receiving interest from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Guedes is currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain to Valencia.

The 20-year-old right winger is likely surplus to PSG's needs following their acquisitions of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Manolete/As.com

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Valencia, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Alvaro Morata Never Wanted To Leave Juventus

Oct 30, 2017 9:55 AM

Alvaro Morata preferred to remain with Juventus instead of returning to Real Madrid for one season before his move to Chelsea.

Morata was sold by Real Madrid in 2014 for €22 million but they activated their buy-back option when he became one of the world's best strikers.

"There were contractual agreements to respect, but the disappointment was enormous -- I found myself right back where I had started," Morata said. "They treated me like the lad that I was before my two years in Italy.

"My two years at Juve were fantastic. I was just a lad when I arrived and I was a real footballer when I left. For a Spaniard, Italy is the best place to live. You've got all the beauty, history, art, good food and fashion.

"I would never have left Italy and Juve."

Morata scored 15 goals in 26 appearances for Real Madrid in his one year back.

"I came here because they have a coach like Antonio Conte," he said. "We started to talk about me possibly coming here last spring and, in the end, I actually came to London. There were a series of situations that were favourable, starting with the coach -- I knew Conte and I had no problems fitting into his ideas of football.

"[Conte] is demanding, but he gets the best out of his players' strengths. You can tell that he knows what it is like to be at a big club, first as a player, then as a coach."

Ben Gladwell/ESPN

Tags: Chelsea, Juventus, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Carlo Ancelotti Interested In Return To Premier League

Oct 30, 2017 9:53 AM

Carlo Ancelotti has publicly suggested he would welcome a return to the Premier League.

"I want to be given an opportunity to create a project and work serenely, even if ours is a job which doesn't allow you serenity, but that's normal.

"It takes just one bad result and the pressure rises, but I'm waiting -- I'm not in a rush.

"The Premier League's interesting in certain aspects -- there's a great atmosphere in the stadium, but they're also advanced in that respect in Germany.

"I don't know what could be the best solution -- I can easily see myself at any club. I like football and I like coaching so, for as long as I have this passion, any job will do."

There have been reports that Ancelotti could return to Chelsea to replace Antonio Conte.

"There's something new every day.

"First there was talk of Chelsea and my friend Antonio, who I speak to a lot and he gets mad [about the rumours], then there was China, Everton.

"I'm waiting for June 30 and then we'll see what opportunities there are."

Ben Gladwell/ESPN

Tags: Chelsea, Misc Rumor

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United Has 'No Idea' When Paul Pogba Will Return From Injury

Oct 30, 2017 9:32 AM

Manchester United has "no idea" when Paul Pogba is likely to return to action.

Pogba suffered a hamstring injury on Sept. 12th and has missed United's last 10 matches in all competitions. 

Jose Mourinho described the injury as a "long-term'' issue towards the end of last month.

"Again, I have no idea. Honestly," said Mourinho.

"I am not in control of his recovery process. He is not training with me. He is on individual work.

"For example, Marcos Rojo is working with me, with certain conditions, and I would expect him to be ready to play after the international break. I can predict that. But Paul, I have no idea.''


PA Sport

Tags: Manchester United, Injury

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Everton Could Pursue Alexis Sanchez In January

Oct 29, 2017 10:18 AM

Everton has interest in pursuing Alexis Sanchez during the January transfer window.

Everton has previously pursued moves for Olivier Giroud and Diego Costa.

Arsenal turned down a £60 million offer from Manchester City for Sanchez over the summer. With Sanchez nearing the possibility of leaving on a free transfer, a £30 million transfer fee could satisfy Arsenal.

Alan Nixon/The Sun

Tags: Arsenal, Everton, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Claude Puel Wants To 'Seduce' Riyad Mahrez To Stay With Leicester

Oct 29, 2017 9:40 AM

Claude Puel wants to "seduce" Riyad Mahrez into continuing his stay at Leicester City.

Mahrez submitted a transfer request in the summer and has been linked with Arsenal and Barcelona.

"It is down to me to make these players want to stay by the fact we are playing good football.

"I have always got to attract them, to seduce them. It is down to me to create that environment where these players want to thrive and stay and be happy and to enjoy themselves.

"It is normal for a player, if they win the title and play Champions League, that sometimes there is disappointment, frustration because now they know the high level."

ESPN

Tags: Leicester City, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Mesut Ozil '100 Percent' Committed To Arsenal

Oct 28, 2017 8:59 AM

Mesut Ozil is without a contract with Arsenal beyond the current season but he says it will not impact his commitment to the club.

"I'm happy here, and I do my job to 100 percent as I always have. I give everything and leave it all on the pitch for the team," Ozil said. "The most important thing is football. I want to give everything, 100 percent for this club. It's important for me to give my all and enjoy playing as well. Whatever else happens, we will see in the future."

While a source said Ozil hasn't ruled out remaining with Arsenal, he has also been linked to Manchester United.

Stan Kroenke publicly said this week he hopes Arsenal re-signs Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

"It's very nice to hear that [Kroenke's comments] and to see that -- he's the major shareholder," Ozil said.

Mattias Karen/ESPN

Tags: Arsenal, Misc Rumor

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Jose Mourinho Interested In Managing National Team Before Retirement

Oct 28, 2017 8:57 AM

Jose Mourinho would like to manage a national team at some point before he retires from managing.

Mourinho is currently holding talks on an extension with Manchester United, which has led him to discuss other potential jobs publicly.

"There will be a moment in my career where I would prefer that nature of job, being more analytical and preparing a team inside doors but competes less," said Mourinho.

"The experience of living a World Cup or European Championship from the inside is an experience I want to have after so many years I've had in football."

Mourinho nearly took the England job a decade ago.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Misc Rumor

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Arsene Wenger Compares His Potential Arsenal Departure To Brexit
Arsene Wenger hasn't won the Premier League in 13 seasons and he says that fuels his desire to remain in the game.

Mattias Karen/ESPN

Antonio Conte Enraged By Rumors Of Mutiny, Carlo Ancelotti
Antonio Conte hit back at reports that suggested Chelsea's players are upset with his training methods and that Carlo Ancelotti could be brought back to the club.

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Harry Kane Ruled Out Of United Match, Doubtful Against Real Madrid
Harry Kane injured his hamstring last week against Liverpool.

As.com

Bayern Signs 16-Year-Old Swede Alex Timossi Andersson
Alex Timossi Andersson, an attacking midfielder, will move to Munich after the 18-19 season.

Mark Lovell/ESPN

Liverpool Denies Report Of Rejecting $2 Billion Amanda Staveley Bid
The report claimed the deal was "killed at the eleventh hour" by Fenway.

ESPN

Harry Kane Could Miss Match At United
Harry Kane could miss Saturday's match against Manchester United with a hamstring issue.

Dan Kilpatrick/ESPN

Stan Kroenke Wants Arsenal To Re-Sign Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil
Both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez can sign elsewhere this summer.

ESPN

Liverpool Seeking $177M From Barcelona For Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool has reportedly named their price to Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho.

As.com

Leicester City Hires Claude Puel As Manager
Claude Puel has signed a contract to the end of the 2019-20 season.

Paul Doyle/The Guardian

Luke Shaw Fears His Career At United May Be Over
Luke Shaw doesn't appear to have a place in Jose Mourinho's XI.

Jamie Jackson/The Guardian

Antonio Conte Criticizes Juventus Chief For Snub
Antonio Conte has branded Juventus president Andrea Agnelli immature.

Ben Gladwell/ESPN

Gianluigi Buffon To Retire At End Of Season Unless Juve Wins UCL
Gianluigi Buffon would like to stay on with Juventus to also win the Club World Cup in December of 2018 if they were to win Europe's top prize.

As.com

Everton Considering Mikel Arteta For Managerial Job
Mikel Arteta played for Everton from 2005 until 2011 before joining Arsenal.

Peter O'Rourke/ESPN

Dave Sarachan Named Interim Manager Of United States
Dave Sarachan was an assistant coach under Bruce Arena.

Steven Goff/Washington Post

Jack Wilshere Working On Coaching Badges
Jack Wilshere, 25, has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career.

Mattias Karen/ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo Named FIFA World Player Of The Year
Cristiano Ronaldo received 43.16% of the total vote.

Nick Ames/The Guardian

Everton Fires Ronald Koeman As Manager
Ronald Koeman signed a £6 million per season contract in June of 2016 and led Everton to a seventh place finish last season.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Spurs Set Premier League Attendance Record Against Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur broke a 10-year-old Premier League attendance record by drawing 80,827 fans at Wembley.

Dan Kilpatrick/ESPN

Jurgen Klopp Wants To Create Situation For Philippe Coutinho To Stay
Jurgen Klopp stressed there is no deal in place for Coutinho to leave Liverpool for Barcelona in December.

Glenn Price/ESPN

Eric Wynalda Promises Changes To MLS In USSF Presidency Platform
Eric Wynalda said he's "a firm believer" in promotion and relegation and would like to move MLS to the European season calendar.

ESPN